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Written by: JBR
International film festivals help us to understand about films in various languages from around the world. We get to learn about that country's culture, arts and traditions. These festivals are a blessing for ardent cinema buffs.
In metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram, the govt. itself organises or helps organise such annual festivals. After Hindi and Telugu, the most number of films produced in the country are in Tamil. But from 1991 to 2003, no international film festival took place in Chennai. In this context we should remember that 5 of the chief ministers are from the Tamil cinema field.
One reason for this lacklustre approach could be lack of understanding and ignorance. Steeped in their own mindset, it's a pity that our people had absolutely no interest in wants to learn about other genre of cinema or try to understand how other minds work. Even worse was that the govt. also did nothing about it.
Fortunately in 2003, ardent cinema fans were presented with a feast of international films. A point to be noted is that this did not come about because of any one in the Tamil film field, or top journals and newspapers who circulated information about films. The Organisation Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation, is responsible for gladdening the hearts and bringing awareness of the beauty of world cinema to film aficionados and the general public.
ICAF as it is called in short was established in 1975 in Chennai. That year, they presented the Canadian Film Festival in Devi theatre. It was their first film festival. The organisation was formally registered on January 11, 1977.
Along with cinema lovers, ICAF started to screen international films. In a very brief time, it became south India's 2nd largest film society.
After tremendous effort, ICAF presented its first international film festival from Dec 1 - 17, 2003 at Chennai. It was called Chennai International Film Festival. Over a span of 17 days, 63 films from 17 countries were screened. Prominent personalities like AR Rehman, Khushboo, Girish Kasaravalli and many more, participated at the festival that was presented by ICAF in collaboration with NFDC (National Film Development Corporation).
Encouraged by the tremendous response to the first festival, ICAF conducted its festival in 2004 from Dec 17 to 24 where 89 films from 27 countries were screened. The Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner, director Adoor Gopalakrishnan was a special guest. From Tamil film field, Bharatiraja and Bala participated.
The third Chennai International Film Festival was planned on a grander scale and directors, actors, producers and viewers from many countries participated, shared their views and press meets were also arranged.
The serious commitment of ICAF got it lot of support for its festival in 2005 December. The Indian govt as well as Tamilnadu govt extended support as well as cultural organisations like Max Muller Bhavan, Alliance Francaise and British Council joined forces with ICAF. About 102 films from 34 countries were screened at the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, Anand and Little Anand theatres. This created great awareness in the Tamil cinema field and many personalities of Tamil cinema were spotted at the films.
Now the ICAF is organising its 4th festival with a great deal of enthusiasm. It is expected that at least 100 films will be screened this year from countries like Australia, Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Denmark, Iran, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kazhaksthan, Lebanon, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan and Turkey.
The French Embassy in Delhi has sent 8 comedy films that will be screened under the title of 'Haha Film Festival' and is expected to be popular among viewers. Director K Balachander's films will be screened as a special retrospective.
The 4th Chennai International Film festival will take off on the 15th of this month. It will be inaugurated by Minister Dayanidhi Maran. The ICAF has also sent special invitation to Tamilnadu chief minister M Karunanidhi.
From Dec 15 to 22, the films will be screened at Film Chamber, Woodlands and Woodlands Symphony theatres. Like last year, film personalities from abroad will participate and there will be ample opportunity to interact with them.
The ICAF has created the environment for people to enjoy world cinema. It is up to the public to make use of it!
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-08.12.2006
